Addressing SILO Act of 2026

Bill Number

S. 4816

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Social Welfare

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Last Updated

2026-07-08T18:44:05Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation amends title XX of the Social Security Act to create federal grants and training programs. Its goal is to help area agencies on aging and community-based organizations reduce social isolation and loneliness among older individuals and adults with disabilities through outreach, interventions, support connections, and evaluation.

Key Provisions

• Grants: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) awards grants for outreach using screening tools, development of community interventions (including evidence-based programs), connections to social and clinical supports, and program evaluation.
• Training: HHS establishes training programs for area agencies on aging and community-based organizations, with authority to prioritize models involving medical-legal partnerships.
• Evaluation and Reporting: HHS must submit a report to Congress every three years starting three years after enactment, assessing the programs' effectiveness.
• Funding: Appropriates $62,500,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 from the Treasury, available until expended.
• Coordination: Requires alignment with existing resource centers and grant programs under the Older Americans Act.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms such as "adult with a disability," "area agency on aging," "community-based organization," "loneliness," "older individual," "social connection," and "social isolation."

Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new Section 2047 to Part II of subtitle B of title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397m et seq.). This introduces dedicated grant and training authority focused on social isolation, which did not previously exist in this title.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Expands HHS responsibilities for administering grants, training, and evaluations; requires coordination with Older Americans Act programs.
• Citizens: Aims to provide targeted support for older adults and adults with disabilities facing social isolation, potentially improving access to community resources.
• International Relations: No provisions address international matters.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Area agencies on aging and community-based organizations (including nonprofits and fiscal sponsors).
• Older individuals and adults with disabilities.
• The Secretary of HHS.
• Congress (receives evaluation reports).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure relies on federal appropriations and administrative authority under the Social Security Act, with no apparent constitutional conflicts noted in the text. It emphasizes evidence-based approaches developed with multi-stakeholder input and includes periodic congressional oversight through required reports.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
• 2026-06-17: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (6 pages)